PhD defence Ciro Leal Martins da Cunha

Keywords: Alcohol, Health, Trade, WTO

"Alcohol Control: Regime Interaction Between WTO Law and Global Health Law"

The thesis explores how international trade rules and global health norms interact in the regulation of alcohol. Alcohol plays a significant role in many economies and societies but is also a major contributor to preventable disease and death. While global trade law—particularly under the World Trade Organization (WTO)—promotes open markets for goods including alcohol, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. This research examines how alcohol control measures have been shaped by both legal frameworks. It reviews case law, institutional cooperation, and policy proposals to understand how trade and health objectives can be better aligned. The study also considers whether new international instruments—such as a global agreement on alcohol control—could help support that alignment. By analyzing the interaction between these two areas of international law, the thesis offers insights into how public health and trade can be made to work together more effectively.

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